Reinforcement assembly for air ducts

ABSTRACT

A reinforcing assembly for air ducts includes a helical reinforcement with an outer circumference and at least one connecting element for fixing a pitch of a helix formed by the helical reinforcement. The at least one connecting element may be fixed to the helical reinforcement by a plurality of j joints with mutually arranged spacing. The reinforcing assembly may be combined with an air duct to form a duct system for transmitting and distributing air that retains its shape regardless of the system&#39;s internal air pressure.

CROSS REFERENCES

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/038,027, filed on Jul. 17, 2018, which claims the benefit of CzechPatent Application No. PV 2017-416, filed on Jul. 18, 2017, whichapplications are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a reinforcement assembly forair ducts.

BACKGROUND

Air-conditioning ducts constructed of a woven or non-woven fabric orfoil are commonly used to transport and distribute air. These ducts arecommonly referred to as textile diffusers and are typically made from amaterial sewn to form closed cross-sections of various shapes. Thecross-section is usually circular, as described for example, in theCzech Utility Model No. 13658, or forms a part of a circle or acombination of several such components. Ducts of this kind are oftendesigned such that air flowing through and inflating the air duct isdistributed into the environment in which the air duct is disposed bypassage through perforations within the air duct or through the ductmaterial itself. Generally, the ducts are fastened by means of amounting system to a fixed part of a building.

A disadvantage of the above-described diffusers and ducts is that theirassumed shape is dependent upon the internal air pressure of the ductand, in this respect, are not stable. For instance, when a fan supplyingair flow to the duct is switched off, the duct deflates. In some cases,manufacturers try to prevent such duct instability by using variousreinforcements. However, reinforcements are not always utilized becausethey are expensive and often labor intensive as known reinforcementsmust generally be disassembled and removed before washing the duct andsubsequently reassembled and re-inserted into the duct after the duct iswashed. Particularly, insertion of each individual reinforcement into arespective pocket within the air duct is time consuming for the user. Anexample reinforcement assembly for air ducts is provided in WO2012091795. A great disadvantage of the reinforcement assembly disclosedwithin WO 2012091795 and other known reinforcements is that they oftencomplicate transport due to their cumbersome design. Although the ductportion of systems utilizing such reinforcement assemblies can be foldedinto a carton and dispatched at low costs over long distances, the rigidreinforcement assembly itself greatly increase the weight and spatialdemands required for transport. An additional reinforcement assembly isdisclosed in Czech Patent No. 304607 (US2014332111A1), which discloses areinforcement assembly generally comprising a set of rings which areinterconnected by means of cables. However, the reinforcement assemblydisclosed within Czech Patent No. 304607 is also disadvantageous asassembly and disassembly of the device is relatively time consuming andmay involve significant cable management. Moreover, because theindividual rings utilized within the assembly disclosed within CzechPatent No. 304607 have to be sufficiently stiff to assure the functionof the assembly, the assembly taught by Czech Patent No. 304607 isrelatively expensive and heavy.

SUMMARY

The above-described drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art arelargely eliminated by a reinforcing assembly for air ducts comprising ahelical reinforcement having an outer circumference and at least oneconnecting element for fixing a pitch of a helix formed by the helicalreinforcement. The at least one connecting element is fixed to thehelical reinforcement by a plurality of j joints arranged with mutualspacing. The at least one connecting element may comprise a strip, cord,string, rope or wire. In an embodiment, the reinforcing assembly mayfurther comprise at least one end ring attached or attachable to an endof the helical reinforcement and/or to an end of the at least oneconnecting element. According to an embodiment, the helicalreinforcement may comprise a metal wire or metal strip. The at least oneconnecting element may comprise a woven or nonwoven fabric. In anembodiment, the helical reinforcement may further comprise a sheath of awoven or nonwoven fabric, and the joints of the plurality of jointsformed by sewn connection between the at least one connecting elementand the helical reinforcement. The at least one connecting element mayextend in parallel to an axis of the helical reinforcement. In oneembodiment, the spacing of the joints corresponds to the pitch of thehelix of the helical reinforcement in that particular area between thecorresponding joints. In some embodiments, the pitch of the helicalreinforcement may be 0.4 to 2 times the diameter of the helix of thehelical reinforcement.

A duct system may be established by combining the above reinforcingassembly with an air duct. In an embodiment, the reinforcing assemblymay be removably inserted into the air duct. In an embodiment, thereinforcing assembly of the system may include at least one end ringthat is detachably attached to the inner wall of the air duct.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a reinforcing assembly having featuresconsistent with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a reinforcing assembly having featuresconsistent with the principles of the present disclosure retaining alongitudinally arced configuration;

FIG. 2A is a side view of a connecting element and joint having featuresconsistent with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a side view of a connecting element and joint having featuresconsistent with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a section of a reinforcing assemblyhaving features consistent with the principles of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the section shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a top view of a duct system having features consistent withthe principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of duct system having features consistentwith the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of a duct system having features consistent withthe principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the reinforcing assembly 10 of the present disclosurecomprises a pair of end rings 2, between which a helical reinforcement 1is arranged, and a pair of connecting elements 3 for defining the pitchof the helix formed by the helical reinforcement 1. The helicalreinforcement 1 has an outer circumference which, upon insertion into anair conditioning duct 20, delimits the duct's cylindrical innercircumference, i.e. the reinforcement holds the walls of theair-conditioning duct 20 so as to extend substantially along acylindrical surface, as best shown in FIG. 4B. Accordingly, the helicalreinforcement 1 preferably has a radius substantially corresponding tothe radius of the respective air duct 20.

A “helix” as used herein refers to a curve that corresponds to themovement of a point that moves evenly along an axis and at the same timeit evenly circulates around the axis with a constant distance from theaxis. A section corresponding to one circle around the axis (360°) iscalled a thread, and the distance of its end points is called the heightof the thread or “pitch” of the helix. A pair of connecting elements 3is fixed to the helical reinforcement 1 by a set of spaced apart joints4, which corresponds to the pitch of the helix in the area. It will beappreciated that the helical reinforcement 1, when the connectingelements 3 have been attached, may, but does not need to, have constantpitch along its entire length. As shown in FIG. 1B, the helicalreinforcement 1 may be placed in a fixed configuration by means ofconnecting elements 3 such that a longitudinal axis defined by thehelical reinforcement 1 passes along an arc. In such embodiments, thereinforcing assembly 10 may be used in air ducts 20 that are arranged toform an arc.

The helical reinforcement 1 may be constructed of a galvanized metalwire or strip. In some embodiments, the helical reinforcement 1 may beconstructed of a metal wire having a diameter of 1.5 mm to 3 mm. In oneembodiment, a metal wire defining the helical reinforcement 1 has adiameter of 2 mm. It is also possible to make the helical reinforcementof a plastic or composite material strip or cable, or of a metal coatedwith plastic.

The helical reinforcement 1 may comprise not only the metal wire orstrip itself, but also a textile sheath, which surrounds or covers themetal wire or strip. In the event the wire or strip of the helicalreinforcement 1 corrodes, the sheath may serve to hide such corrosionfrom visibility and prevent such corrosion from staining a textile duct20 in which the reinforcing assembly 10 is disposed. In addition to theforegoing, the use of a sheath may facilitate easier securement of theat least one connecting element 3 to the helical reinforcement 1, e.g.,by way of a sewn connection. The sheath may comprise a textile tube inwhich the metal wire or strip of the helical reinforcement 1 may beremovably disposed.

The end rings 2 may comprise reinforcing members forming a cross (notshown), or reinforcing spokes, etc. It will be appreciated that otherforms of a reinforcing member may be used, or the reinforcing member maybe omitted altogether, if the end ring 2 is sufficiently rigid due tothe material and/or cross-section of the ring. The end rings 2 may beformed by a metal ring made of a rod profile having a diameter of 2 mmto 6 mm. In one embodiment, the end rings 2 are formed by a metal ringof a rod profile having a diameter of 3 mm to 5 mm. In anotherembodiment the end rings 2 are formed by a metal ring of a rod profilehaving a diameter of 4 mm. In an embodiment, the end rings 2 may beconstructed from aluminum.

Attachment of the connecting elements 3 to the helical reinforcement 1can, for example, be provided by sewing the connecting element 3 to thesheath of the helical reinforcement 1 or by means of an eye/loop/throughhole, optionally with a hook and loop fastener on the connecting element3 and/or on the sheath of the helical reinforcement 1 and/or on a loop,which may be opened. In one embodiment, the connecting elements 3 areprovided with through holes arranged with predetermined mutual spacingsuch that the helical reinforcement 1 may be guided through the throughholes.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of connecting elements forconnecting the helical reinforcement 1 and the connecting elements 3. Asshown in FIG. 2A, which shows a part of the connecting element 3, aretaining strap 42 may be secured to the connecting element 3, forexample, by stitching 43, wherein the retaining strap 42 may be liftedoff in the direction shown by the arrow or tilted down and fastened inthat position by a coupling element 41, such as a hook and loopfastener. By fastening the retaining strap 42 in the foregoing manner, aloop 40 can be formed through which the helical reinforcement 1 maypass. A hook and loop fastener may extend along the entire length of theretaining strap 42 and/or along the opposite portion of the connectingelement 3, which may improve stability of the set position of theconnecting element 3 with respect to the helical reinforcement 1.Referring to FIG. 2B, the connecting element 3 may comprise a cordcomprising loops/eyes 40 for the passage of the helical reinforcement 1.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a joint 4 may be defined by the sheath ofthe helical reinforcement 1. In such embodiments, the sheath of thehelical reinforcement 1 is formed from a first strip 5A and a secondstrip 5B which extend parallel to each other and are sewn together by apair of stitchings 53 which extend along the side edges of the strips 5Aand 5B, wherein a cavity 50 is formed between the strips 5A, 5B, and thehelical reinforcement 1 is arranged within the cavity 50. The connectingelement 3 passes through the cavity 50 and its position with respect tothe strips 5A, 5B is defined by the stitching 53. Instead of passingthrough the cavity 50, the connecting element 3 may be attached to thesheath adjacent to the outer side of one of the strips 5A, 5B. Thesheath may also be made from a single folded strip, which has been sewntogether to form a sleeve.

The number of connecting elements 3 may depend on the diameter of theduct 20 in which the reinforcing assembly 10 is to be installed. In someinstances, one connecting element 3 may be sufficient to adjust thepitch of the helical reinforcement 1. In one embodiment, the reinforcingassembly 10 may comprise at least two connecting elements 3. In anotherembodiment, the reinforcing assembly 10 may comprise at least threeconnecting elements 3. The connecting elements 3 may extend in parallelto the axis of the helical reinforcement 1. The connecting elements 3within the reinforcing assembly 10 may be arranged with a uniform mutualangular spacing.

The connecting elements 3 may be constructed of a flexible material,preferably of a fabric. The material is preferably non-elastic. However,in another preferred embodiment, it may be advantageous to provide abetter adaptability of the length and/or arcuate passage of thereinforcing assembly 10 relative to the respective air duct 20 when atleast part of at least one, or each of, the connecting elements 3 is ofan elastic material.

According to an embodiment, both the ends of the connecting elements 3and the ends of the helical reinforcement 1 are fastened to end rings 2.It is also possible to fasten the end rings 2 to the duct 20 itselfand/or to fasten the ends of the helical reinforcement 1 to the duct,for example, by inserting the same into pockets provided in the duct atits end and/or by fastening the same by means of a hook and loopfastener or other, preferably dismountable, connection to the duct 20wall.

As shown in FIG. 5, the duct 20 itself may be hung on a supportstructure 30, such as a rail (carrier profile) or cable by means of aset of hooks or strips which are hung on the cable or inserted into acarrier profile. In some instances, the end rings 2 may be fastened tothe rail. To secure the position of the end rings 2 in a planeperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail, the end rings 2 maybe supported by an auxiliary supporting element which prevents tiltingof the end ring 2 with respect to the rail. For example, one end of theauxiliary support element may be attached to the center crossing of thespokes (not shown) of the end rings 2 and the other end may bedetachably attached to the rail spaced apart from the point ofattachment of the respective ring 2 to the rail. Alternatively, thesupport element may be fastened to the ring 2 in the region more or evenmost distant from the point of attachment of the ring 2 to the rail.According to another embodiment, the support element can be provided inthe form of an L-piece, one side of which is fixed to the ring 2 andextends in its plane and the other side is fastened to the rail andextends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail. According to yetanother embodiment, it is possible to use a tensioning auxiliarysupporting element which connects the end ring 2 with a fixed buildingelement arranged outside the duct.

According to another preferred embodiment, any or each of end rings 2may be arranged inside the duct 20 in a removable pocket which extendsalong the inner circular circumference of the duct 20. The removablepocket is formed by a strap sewn to the inner wall of the duct 20 so asto be able to be tilted from the duct 20 wall for insertion of the endring 2 and then it may be tilted back towards the duct wall 20 so thatthe end ring 2 is housed in the annular cavity thus formed. In addition,the strap is preferably attachable in the position adjacent the wall bymeans of a fastener, for example by means of a hook and loop fastener.

The air duct 20 may be attached to a source of conditioned air, such asa supply duct or a part thereof, and on the other side it is preferablytensioned in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal tension of theduct 20 can be provided, for example, by means of a tensioning element,which is fixed to the radial end wall of the duct 20 at one side and toa rail or to a rigid building element outside the duct on the other.Alternatively, the longitudinal tension can be provided by means of aloop on the upper side of the end radial wall or of the side wall of theduct 20, the loop being fixed relative to the rail.

The end rings 2 and the helical reinforcement 1 enable the air duct 20to maintain its shape even during the periods when the fan (or othersource of conditioned air) is switched off, or when there is loweredpressure in the duct. In such a situation, the outer circumference ofthe helical reinforcement 1 contributes to maintaining the shape of theduct between the end rings 2.

However, the use of the end rings 2 is optional. For example, at theinlet end of the air conduit, the end ring may be replaced by astructural member belonging to the inlet duct or device and at the otherend, for example, the helical reinforcement 1 can be secured by means ofthe connecting elements 3 or by means of a separate connecting element.In some instances, the helical reinforcement 1 may be secured directlyto the duct so that its last thread has substantially zero pitch. Inother words, in some embodiments, an end ring 2 may be formed directlyfrom the helical reinforcement 1.

Functionality of the reinforcing assembly 10 is maintained without thenecessity of any adjustments, even when it is necessary to extend theair duct to form an arc, that is, when the rail, on which the air duct20 is suspended, is arced. During installation, the reinforcing assembly10 is assembled and is subsequently inserted into the air duct 20 at oneend thereof, as best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. A first end ring 2 may beat least temporarily fixed to the duct 20 so that a second end ring 2opposite the first end ring, and/or the end of the helical reinforcement1, may be pulled to stretch the helical reinforcement 1 and connectingelements 3 within the duct 20. Once the helical reinforcement 1 andconnecting elements 3 are stretched, the second end ring 2 may be atleast temporarily fixed to the duct 20 or to an external tensioningsystem (not shown).

The reinforcing assembly 10 according to the present disclosure may beused for air conditioning ducts 20 made from woven or nonwoven fabricsor foils, which are industrially usable in air conditioninginstallations, especially in plants with higher demands on hygiene andcleanliness.

What is claimed is: 1) A method for reinforcing an air duct, said methodcomprising the steps of: providing a reinforcement assembly comprising:a helical reinforcement having an outer circumference, wherein thehelical reinforcement comprises a helical member disposed within atextile sheath, and at least one connecting element for fixing a pitchof a helix formed by the helical reinforcement, the at least oneconnecting element being fixed to the helical reinforcement by aplurality of j joints arranged with mutual spacing; providing an airduct; and inserting the reinforcement assembly into the air duct suchthat the outer circumference of the helical reinforcement defines aninternal cylindrical circumference of the air duct. 2) The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element comprises at leastone of a strip, a cord, a string, a rope, and a wire. 3) The method ofclaim 1, wherein the reinforcement assembly further comprises at leastone end ring configured to attach to at least one of an end of thehelical reinforcement and an end of the at least one connecting element.4) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting elementcomprises at least one of a woven fabric and a nonwoven fabric. 5) Themethod of claim 1, wherein the textile sheath comprises at least one ofa woven fabric and a nonwoven fabric. 6) The method of claim 1, whereineach joint of the plurality of j joints is defined by a sewn connectionbetween the at least one connecting element and the sheath. 7) Themethod of claim 1, wherein the spacing of j joints within the pluralityof j joints corresponds to the pitch. 8) The method of claim 1, whereinthe pitch is 0.4 to 2 times the diameter of the helix. 9) A method forreinforcing an air duct, said method comprising the steps of: providinga reinforcement assembly comprising: a helical reinforcement having anouter circumference, wherein the helical reinforcement comprises ahelical member disposed within a textile sheath, at least one connectingelement for fixing a pitch of a helix formed by the helicalreinforcement, the at least one connecting element being fixed to thehelical reinforcement by a plurality of j joints, wherein the spacingbetween adjacent joints within the plurality of j joints corresponds tothe pitch, and at least one end ring disposed at an end of at least oneof the helical reinforcement and the at least one connecting element;providing an air duct; and inserting the reinforcement assembly into theair duct such that the outer circumference of the helical reinforcementdefines an internal cylindrical circumference of the air duct. 10) Themethod of claim 9, wherein the at least one connecting element comprisesat least one of a woven fabric and a nonwoven fabric. 11) The method ofclaim 9, wherein each joint within the plurality of joints is defined bya sewn connection between the at least one connecting element and thesheath. 12) The method of claim 11, wherein each joint within theplurality of j joints is further defined by a cavity formed within thesheath. 13) The method of claim 12, wherein the helical reinforcementextends through the cavity in a first direction and the at least oneconnecting element extends through the cavity in a second directionsubstantially perpendicular to the first direction. 14) The method ofclaim 9, wherein the plurality of joints is defined by at least one ofone or more retaining straps secured to the at least one connectingelement, one or more eyelets of the at least one connecting element, andone or more through holes extending through the at least one connectingelement. 15) The method of claim 9, wherein the pitch is 0.4 to 2 timesthe diameter of the helix. 16) The method of claim 9, wherein the atleast one end ring is formed by the helical reinforcement. 17) Themethod of claim 9, wherein the at least one end ring comprises a firstend ring and a second end ring, the first end ring being secured to afirst end of the helical reinforcement and to a first end of the atleast one connecting element, and the second ring being secured to asecond end of the helical reinforcement and to a second end of the atleast one connecting element. 18) A reinforcement assembly for an airduct, the assembly comprising: a helical reinforcement having an outercircumference, wherein the helical reinforcement comprises a helicalmember disposed within a textile sheath, and a connecting elementarranged for fixing a pitch of a helix formed by the helicalreinforcement, the connecting element being fixed to the helicalreinforcement at a plurality of j joints arranged with mutual spacing,wherein the spacing between adjacent joints within the plurality of jjoints corresponds to the pitch. 19) The assembly of claim 18, furthercomprising at least one end ring disposed at an end of at least one ofthe helical reinforcement and the connecting element. 20) The assemblyof claim 18, wherein each joint of the plurality of joints is defined bya sewn connection between the connecting element and the sheath.